How to surviveTanya Borisova
Vazrazhdane Secondary School, Ruse,Bulgaria
A Natural disasters course on web2.0erc.eu
http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308
The aims of the course – The course aims to develop students’ skills in three areas:
1. Survival skills; 2. Language communicative skills;
3. Social skills
A: Survival skills:To provide students with information on the nature of three natural disasters( earthquakes, floods and fires) which are most likely to happen in our geo-physical location as well as to inform them about the most appropriate actions they have to take in order to be prepared to face dangerous situations so as to survive, or to help other people in case of casualties, or how to avoid additional injuries and damages.
B: Language communicative skills:Through various activities to exercise the four main communicative skills –
receptive and productive:To encourage students to read additional information in articles, (developing their reading skills), to listen and watch videos for general understanding ( developing
students’ listening skills) to share thoughts orally – in class – speaking and in written form on the platform ( developing their speaking and writing skills)
To teach new vocabulary on the topic To create inter disciplinary links between Geography, History and English
C: Social skills *To encourage students to do their “boring” school work
*To encourage students to use the internet for educational purposes*To get students know more about specific jobs such as of a nurse and a
firefighter, which do not seem to be popular with and desired by young people
To improve students’ interpersonal relations through group work
The Course1. Natural Disasters- an on-line, web2.erc.eu based course in three Modules
Module 1 – Earthquakes Module 2 – Floods
Module 3 – FiresPractical training – Lectures and training:
At the school’s surgery- At the regional fire station
In class training and language development
Teacher’s work
Planning Educational Materials selection Setting the tasks Helping students with their work on-line Taking part in the discussion Supervising and commenting Assessment ( summative and formative)
Teaching language on-line
Students develop their communicative skills Reading comprehension Listening comprehension Writing NB – Speaking can also be practiced on-line
in webinars via skype or other social network options
Procedure
The on-line Modules’ structure: 1. Warm-up questions for discussion on the
Forum space 2. Articles to read and discuss 3. Videos to watch and discuss
Module 1 Earthquakes
http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308
earthquakes
Module 2 Floods
• What causes floods
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/landslides-and-more/floods/
Module 3 Fires
http://platform.web20erc.eu/course/view.php?id=308
Fires at home
In class activities
Discussions on the topics Writing a Thank-you letter
INTERDISCIPLINAR LINKS
Knowledge and skills in
Geography
History
Social studies and Civil defense
Communication
Medical care and first aid
Results
Students feel more confident Students have learnt about the Nature of Natural
disasters and ways to survive Students learnt New Vocabulary on the Topics Students know how to write a formal Thank-you
letter and speak about past events Students know how to help other people in case of
an emergency Students know how to use the web2.0erc.eu platform
for educational purposes
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STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE AND FEELINGS ABOUT THE COURSE
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